DAMARISCOTTA — Lincoln County’s 2016 candidates will be freatured at a Wednesday Lunch and Learn program is set for 11:15 a.m. Oct. 12 at Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center, 521 Main St.

Following the luncheon guests and community members can hear from a number of Lincoln County’s 2016 candidates for County Commissioner and the Maine legislature. House and Senate candidates, Democratic, Republican and Independent, from each of the House and Senate Districts in Lincoln County have been invited to participate.

According to the Coastal center’s release, candidates have been asked to indicate how, as the congressional, legislative or county spokesperson for Lincoln County’s aging population (the second oldest county in the state with a median age in Lincoln County at 50.1 years), if elected to office they would work with Maine’s Office of Elder Services, Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Spectrum Generations to move the State’s new four year (2016-20) plan on aging forward.

The overall goal of Maine’s State Plan on Aging and Spectrum Generations Strategic Plan is to assist aging and disabled adults to maintain their independence and to live safely where they choose. To achieve this the Coastal team believes that the state of Maine will need to:

• Educate and improve access to existing health and community long-term services and supports;

• Support individuals to remain safely in their environment of choice;

• Encourage active and healthy lifestyles and community engagement for aging and disabled adults;

• Protect the rights and safety of aging and disabled adults; and

• Ensure data integration, quality and access to services for aging and disabled adults.

Based upon these strategic goals the Coastal team has asked candidates to describe: legislation that they will propose and support which will enable Maine residents to age in place, home and community; what actions they would take to ensure that homecare workers receive a living wage and proper training: what steps they would encourage municipalities throughout Maine to work on age friendly community initiatives and to become designated as an age friendly community (Maine is leading the nation on age friendly communities).

Advanced luncheon reservations are required, to RSVP, call 563-1363 by 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 and entrée selection (meatloaf).

Cost is $5 per person for luncheon guests older than 60; all others $6.